1998 May Finally Be Year For Charter Schools

Like the inevitable drop of the New Year's ball in Times Square, the introduction - and eventual death - of a charter schools bill has become an annual rite in the General Assembly.

But this year may be different. Democratic Del. J. Paul Councill Jr. of Franklin, chairman of the House Education Committee, has made it his priority to make charter schools a reality in Virginia.

The measure Councill has targeted is one that has been sponsored by Republican Del. Phillip Hamilton of Newport News for the last four years. It would allow local school boards to approve requests to create charter-based schools that want to try unorthodox approaches to instruction.

The odds may be in Councill's and Hamilton's favor this year. The charter schools measure was defeated on a tie vote in the Education Committee the last two years, but three committee members will be replaced this year due to two failed re-election bids and one retirement. And Councill said the national trend of creating charter schools elsewhere may have changed the minds of some opponents.

``I feel like we can get it out of committee,'' said Councill, whose sprawling 75th District includes eight counties, including portions of Surry and Isle of Wight, and two cities. ``We have three new members coming on board, and a couple of the ones who voted against it last year probably have had second thoughts. If we can get it to the floor, I think it will pass.''

Under Hamilton's bill, local school boards would have the authority to OK requests to create public schools with their own sets of guidelines - free from most conventional schedules, curricula, teaching methods and policies. The measure could free the schools from many state and local regulations.

But Councill's optimistic words are likely to be heard as a call to arms for opponents. While other states have allowed public schools to break away from traditional management and create their own curriculum, many still suspect charter schools are simply a way to funnel public dollars into what could be essentially private, even segregated schools.

Last year, the battle against Hamilton's bill was waged largely by state NAACP officials, who argued it would enable white parents to band together and form their own schools, bringing back 1950s racial segregation. The former president of the state chapter even threatened ``to go after'' any lawmakers who voted for the measure.

NAACP officials said they have the same concerns this year.

But Councill said better understanding of the measure should calm those fears.

``I think people have gotten more information on it, and they've decided it's not the bugaboo that some people were leading them to believe it was,'' Councill said.

J. Paul Councill Jr. in his own words:

Q. Based on requests and comments from constituents, name two or three other specific measures that you feel are local priorities.

A. Funding for the Paul D. Camp Community College work force training center.

Repeal of the amendments to the ``Right to Farm Act'' that restrict local governments' regulation of land use.

Q. What issue do you think the coming session should be remembered as having acted upon?